Handeling corners & curves?

[lectric]

Still getting used to a trike. It's hard to get used to all the push on the front end. And overcoming the falling sensation when turning hard. Scared myself a few times in not turning the bars hard enough in some corners. That is especially disconcerting at high speeds. So I'm keeping it mellow still. When I am alone I will push it harder to get used to it, but not with a pillion aboard! What I did find helps for me is to push hard on the appropriate bar and use that push to move me to lean to the inside at the same time. Even though that is opposite of what you do on a bike, it makes it a whole complete action and my body is learning to automate that function. Even if it doesn't need to be done it keeps me from feeling that I am going to be thrown from the trike. Time to go wrench then practice .

 

[Saltywheels]

Lectric, While turning, try sitting / pushing as far back as possible in yr seat. If you have to, press down on the inside peg. And above all...site as far down the road as practical. The pax shouldn't have to lean at all. They just need to sit back, centered & not leaning side to side. That ultimately works against you. Wifey sits so still, I gotta check frequently to see she's still there.

 

[XTCM8]

Thanks guys for some great insights. I hope to start riding my new wheels next week and this thread has answered a lot of questions I had going through my mind. I think this info will be very helpful.

 

[Nana]

Hi XTCM8
You are going to love triking once you get comfortable with the feel of the steering. Allow 300 - 500 miles of riding for that to become second nature to you. If you haven't already found and read this thread, check it out..... tons of great info for new trikers!

http://www.triketalk.com/forum/general-forum/242-experianced-trike-riders-please-post-here.html

 

[1550vt]

I use to own one of the worst (if not the worst) handling trike on the planet. I use to tell people that it would scare the hair right off your head and I am bald to prove it. It was terrifying in the long sweepers and my wife could even feel the fear. I know the reason that I picked the trike up at such a ridiculous price was that the previous owner was totally terrified of it too.

A few thousand miles later and lots of adjustments and suspension improvements have made a rider out of this thing. The trike has to be set-up properly. If a lean, mushy suspension components, or poor alignment are built into it.....it will never handle right.

At this point....I feel like I can take any curve at any speed at which I can hold onto it and never have a fear of it turning over. YES...there are limits to what the machines can do, but if you have a good handling trike to begin with, you will learn how to handle it. How it's loaded (top heavy) and tire pressures as well as air suspension pressures have a lot to do with it.

I discovered from the beginning that if you take a curve at the posted speed limit, you will be fine. Stick to that rule-of-thumb and work your way up from there. You will get use to it and be able to ride with any 2-wheeler. Just keep your suspension and tires set for the type of riding you are doing. I air mine up very "tight" for mountain riding and soften it up on long interstate type cruising.

You'll get the hang of it!

 

[EZglider]

Hey Okie.I to have a trike shop trike.It took me a little time to get use to it.I found that my trike use to roll the opposite of the curve.I put a set of coil over shocks on.Advised by ts.And adjust them all the way up.You may not have to go all the way.I weight 300 bls.With these shocks I never have to use my air shock except when I pull my trailer.I now flat track around corners with no effort.I also lean into the curve.

 

[Comanche]

I ride with two wheelers all of the time on some of the best roads like the 3 sisters in Texas. Nothing but twisties and I often find myself getting a tad too close to them. My trike with the risers and the 5.5 degree rake kit is so easy to steer I am having the time of my life. Push on the inside bar and pull on the outside makes the trike so smooth. Yes, looking through the turn is no different then when we were on two wheels. The trike goes where you look.

Just be careful in tighter areas to remember you have two wide fenders behind you. I saw a person tear their fender off in a gas station making too tight of a turn thinking he was still on two wheels.

 

[RTL1330]

I ride with two wheelers all of the time on some of the best roads like the 3 sisters in Texas. Nothing but twisties and I often find myself getting a tad too close to them. My trike with the risers and the 5.5 degree rake kit is so easy to steer I am having the time of my life. Push on the inside bar and pull on the outside makes the trike so smooth. Yes, looking through the turn is no different then when we were on two wheels. The trike goes where you look.

Just be careful in tighter areas to remember you have two wide fenders behind you. I saw a person tear their fender off in a gas station making too tight of a turn thinking he was still on two wheels.

Hello Comanche.
I also ride with 2 wheelers who love to howl around the corners. When they see Old Gramps on his Valkyrie trike the giggle and say "try not to hold us up in the twisties Eh." When they get to cafe to meet for lunch, I am usually finished a coffee and wondering where they got to?
I have a 2001 Valkyrie Interstate trike with 6 degree rake kit, air ride as well as coil over shocks and twin sway bars. i have custom body that fenders come down over rear tires to all most meet pavement like a lowered sports car. My flat 6 has had some super tuning and goodies so I only follow those I want to. if you set up your trike properly, they are a joy to ride and hard to catch!
Love riding my Trike as it is so stable in the corners and comfortable on long hauls. Lots of twisties here on vancouver Island, BC.
Ride safe and long.
terry

 

[Jenkinsrawhide]

You will find that it gets easier the more you ride it. When I first triked mine out everyone said I did not have to lean and I don't HAVE to, but still like to. I have found a bruise about the size of a quarter on the side of my knee where it hugged the bikes body. lol The only danger I encountered is not paying attention and coming into a curve and turning too late. This creates an emergency hard turn and you may skip or slide a little but good normal driving and you won't have that problem. No you won't stay up with the crotch rockets but you can sure embarass the Harleys by just how fast those trikes will run. You are in your sixties and I turn 74 in about two weeks, so good riding to ya.:Coffee:

 

[JoJo]

I get my Trike next month - A Valkyrie Standard 2003 with a California Sidecar Kit conversion. This thread has me practicing the "lock the outside elbow while pushing with the inside foot" technique and pushing back on the seat (my computer chair has wheels and keeps sending me flying!) I'll be riding my trike for the first time Mid-March. I've signed up for a trike class at Northern Virginia Community College at the end of April. We're hoping the weather will be accommodating enough to ride down, but I have a feeling we're going to be trailering the bikes - my Trike and my husband's Valkyrie Interstate. I've bookmarked this thread so please keep the advice flowing. Thanks for all the advice!

 

[ricle41]

I found it helped to compare my trike cornering with my '77 MG, rather than my two wheeler. What lean inside I do, is done just as in the MG. Not leaning to help the machine, but to fight the centrifigul force of my body.
Just like the sports car, the trike slows as you enter the turn (and you always use the outside to inside arc), then as you move through the curve, roll on the throttle and feel the rear push you through the curve. Once you get over the strange feeling at first, it's a very comfortable, in-charge feeling as you learn to use the throttle and the steering to handle the curves with ease.
Also the big parking lot practice is wonderfull. We have a civic center that you can catch closed, and practice curves, full turns, and figure eights as fast or as slow as you wish. To start with, you can replace a lot of scary miles in traffic by practicing there.

 

[Big0]

Was out on the first ride today. By the end of the day was definitely better than
the start of it. Glad to hear in a thousand miles it will be much easier. Of course
the new 6 degree rake makes it a whole lot easier than the stock that was on it.
Thank you for all the good info.

 

[jtilmon]

Hey guys this is interesting regarding changing the front tire to bias type tire. any suggestions on brand and size? i have been thinking that the radial tire does not have much tread on the road surface in the corners.

New question: What's your take on fork braces especially the Superbrace for a GW Trike?
jt

 

[Nana]

http://www.triketalk.com/forum/honda-trikes/4000-super-brace-gold-wing-1800-trike-report-thread.html

http://www.triketalk.com/forum/hond...lin-pilot-activ-rear-front-tire-opinions.html

JTilmon, above are a couple of threads that will give you a start on both your questions. I am sure others will chime in directly too

 

[jtilmon]

thanks for the info, that helps a lot.
Happy and safe riding to all.
jt

 

[Cycleguy]

Hey guys this is interesting regarding changing the front tire to bias type tire. any suggestions on brand and size? i have been thinking that the radial tire does not have much tread on the road surface in the corners.

New question: What's your take on fork braces especially the Superbrace for a GW Trike?
jt

The two most popular choices are Michelin Pilot Activ and Bridgestone BT-45, 130/70-18, REAR. Many (most?) mount them reverse rotation (because you're putting a rear tire up front), I've seen that recommended by Michelin.

There is no magic way the bias has more tread contact area, that's pretty much a matter of psi and load. What it does have is a stiffer sidewall, obviously a good thing for a trike.

A fork brace will make the steering more precise, and stiffen the ride some. Depends on how you feel about the tradeoff.

A "simple" brace like the Superbrace has been used by many to good effect. More complicated ones like the Traxxion or the Kuryakin, clamp individually to each leg, then are bolted together in the middle. This eliminates the possibility of binding if your fork is a bit out of spec. I view the small additional cost as cheap insurance against that particular binding, others may differ.

 

[PhotoTriker]

Try taking several short truns in the curv by pushing and pulling that is what I do and it helps allot.

 

[Big0]

Everything comes in time. Did 140 miles of twistys in california.
Practice practice and more practice.

 

[meredog]

I am surprised that thru this thread no one drew a comparison between a solid axle and irs.
My vtx with the Champion solid axle sticks to the road like glue I have a freind in Texas who i rode the twisted sister with who has a 2010 tri-glide with irs.
No comparison when we were riding the twisties.Not saying witch one was the better but he is looking for a VTX to trade the tri glide in on.

 

[Cycleguy]

I am surprised that thru this thread no one drew a comparison between a solid axle and irs.
My vtx with the Champion solid axle sticks to the road like glue I have a freind in Texas who i rode the twisted sister with who has a 2010 tri-glide with irs.
No comparison when we were riding the twisties.Not saying witch one was the better but he is looking for a VTX to trade the tri glide in on.

It's hard to make a blanket statement. No doubt some solid axles handle better than some irs, and vice versa. Tires, riders, all make a difference, too.

But, over bumpy roads the irs will definitely have an edge in keeping the tires planted. It's why every race cars uses irs, where the rules allow it. The only race cars using solid axles have to.